Our Investigator Andrea

Andrea is wonderful, she's progressing slowly and still striving to find her own testimony. We don't want to push her too fast but as for right now we're just building up our friendships with her. She's really fun to be around and she has shared a lot about herself. Her stories are unbelievable. Perhaps better than mine. It amazes me how far she come. Please pray for her as we continue to work with her.

She mentioned that after my mission if we choose to go to Disney World we can get pretty good discount from her hahaha. So Disney trip anyone? 

Love,
Elder Uthaichai

Learning About Myself

This life is to have joy and we can only control so much of our lives. I know I'm young but I have come to an understanding that the Gospel is simple. It's very personal as well. As long as we keep the covenant we made at baptism. Everything will be alright in the end. I know that with all my heart. So use the Sabbath to separate yourself from the world. Sabbath is the day where you can feel spiritually refueled. We need it as car needs gas.

One of the sisters in my district had a emotional melt down because she had so many things she wanted and needed to accomplished but she felt like she didn't have enough time and that everything was just over flowing. Anyhow, she's such a sweetheart and perfectionist really. Her name is Rachel Saunders.. Go figure. She made me think of you quite a lot anyhow, she had an emotional melt down and asked me for a blessing... Now every single time anyone asked me for a blessing I do my best to avoid it because I just don't feel like I'm "qualified" to do it. However, I have given about a handful blessings since I left MTC. I guess I'm very selective about who I give the blessing to. Anyhow, I can't recall what was mentioned but she Thanked me and took the council that the Lord gave her and she felt a lot better. So I want to let you know that whenever you feel like there's just too much to handle. Please get a blessing. It really can give you guidance and comfort. I know that for a fact. 

 I'm so thankful for the opportunity that I have to serve here. The people here are lovely and indeed there are hard days and lazy days but I know that I'm making a difference just by being here. I have learned so much about myself as well as others. I love my companion and the silent things he is teaching me.

I totally understand what a successful missionary must feel. I'd like to consider myself successful. I mean I love everyone whom I  teach. I love those whom I have said "Hi" to or just shook hands with. I mean our investigators might not understand what is going one right away but I know that they felt the Holy Ghost and that's all it matters to me. Andrea might not be baptized during my time up here but I know that she knows that God loves her. This might sound extremely awkward but I adore her and want what's best for her. I have expressed that to her and shared with her that the Gospel is something that will help her achieve her personal goals and protect her from the evil in this world.

Andrea is still pondering about baptism. She has very difficult concern because of her personal up bringing and how she feels about certain topic. For instance, homosexual. She's not gay.. but she wants others to feel okay to express their thoughts and whatever. She thought that when she becomes a member that she has to judge others and she has to conform. For the lack of a better phrase, she just had a bad experiences with members. Members being judgmental etc. Please keep praying for her and I know that she'll come around.

There's a family here -- the Hickmans and they have 3 children and the oldest boy is 4 or 5 I'm not sure. Anyhow, we had Andrea with us over there for dinner and afterward a message. I looked over and this boy was literally pulling a move on Andrea... It was the cutest thing ever. Their youngest boy is 1 and he was just snuggled up with her. Anyway I thought I should share that brief humorous story with you. 

Love,
Elder Uthaichai

A New Beginning

Honestly, this week flew by so quick, like it's not even funny. I feel like I just e-mailed you. We are teaching a handful of people and continuing to find more and more. People are very humble and loving. However, I'll share with you our main investigator:

Andrea. She is super funny! Every lesson we have with her, I have to say we laugh like silly kids. She actually came to Church last Sunday. It was kind of odd because my companion was up on the stand and so it was just her and I. It's not awkward, if you don't make it awkward, right? Anyway, she's really prepared and she's sincere. That's why we keep meeting with her. I think we met with her 3 times this last week. One cool thing about her is that she stayed up until 4am on Saturday to do homework so she could make it to church.  If that's not commitment, I don't know what is. I want to ask you guys to pray for her because she feels inadequate about joining and she doesn't want to join and then change her mind. However, she's already living the principles ever since she can remember.

Our district is doing well. I'm trying to get the whole district together so that we'll pray for each other and help each other out when an area is struggling. I don't know exactly how I'm going to do that yet, but I'll seek help from Heavenly Father for sure. 

I miss everyone, but I want you all to know that everything is going pretty well, and that I'm loving life here. The ward is great, some people are interesting, but overall it's not too bad. Thank you for all your support and guidance. 

Love,
Elder Uthaichai

New Address:

Elder Uthaichai
502 Cleveland Ave
South Bend Indiana 46628

Patience & Trust

Well as of last Wednesday, I'm in Notre Dame. Yes, right in the middle of campus really. The school is really pretty and it has this "touch-down" Jesus which I will take a picture by and send it to you. I love this area so far because of a few reasons. One being the fact that it has a lot of mix cultures. It contains a large group of blacks which I really like... I don't know why but it's just great to be around them especially when you try to engage in a Gospel conversation. The sad part is that the commitment isn't there but at least we got to talk about Christ daily. This area is somewhat sketchy but I don't carry anything on me that could potentially be dangerous so I'm not too worried.

My new companion's name is Elder Gurney, he's from BC Canada. This Elder is awesome, very polite and thoughtful. He made me breakfast since day one. Maybe it's because he's still green or maybe it's true what they say about Canadian. Yesterday, we went to the mall because I needed a sweater and other stuff and so did he. So we looked for stuff and just browse around. We got into Jos. A Bank and the sale girl named Ali Salibury, very lovely young lady and obviously she was trying to make a sale. The shirts were fairly expensive and neither of us found anything that was "perfect" fit. However, he couldn't stop himself from buying the shirt because she gave us a great deal... So in a way we bought the shirt because she was kind and was working hard. Later I found out why he did what he did. He has a good heart and that's something I admire about him. 

I must say that I actually understand why I wanted to be out here now. Sad to say but I think the decisions I made recently were the best thing for me. It was definitely hard but I know that this is something Heavenly Father wanted me to learn and to strengthen my testimony.  I'm somewhat sad that it took me like a year to figure it out.  Anyhow, I think that if there's one thing I have learned since being out here is to have Patience and Trust in the Lord. The whole mess that I went through last couple transfers have been harsh for me but looking back, I have realized that Heavenly Father has been trying to tell me all along. I guess I'm just too stubborn. I can say now that I love my mission. I really love this place. Obviously there are hard days but I rather be on my mission than being back home... This is a lot easier all I ever have to worry about is where to go to find someone I can help and teach about the Gospel. 

Time Again for Change...

That's super interesting while you're praying for humidity and moisture over there in Utah, I"m praying that this stupid cold would go away! It's freezing here but luckily we have full time car for now (fingers crossed) but anyhow, things in the mission field is great. I love working on campus so far but unfortunately I'm leaving :( I never want to leave campus or the YSA it's so much fun. but I guess my time will come in the future hopefully. I guess you can say it has been nothing but joy hah. We're teaching quite a few people but that's about to end when they're sending me to a new area where I have to go back and Knock doors again! it was nice to just Personal Contact people on campus.

Hello Again World!

Elder Uthaichai has been going through some rough times lately in the mission field. But after several weeks we think he has finally found some answers, and is excited again about the work. Here is a recent photo of him with the Zone Leaders that he is currently serving with.

Sam could still use your prayers on his behalf. But so far he seems to be happier and enjoying his mission again. For now please send letters to the mission office:

1980 E. 116th Street Suite 200
Carmel, Indiana 46032